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Plenty of foot issues can develop from too-tight shoes, but perhaps none is more dreaded than the bunion. Why? Because unlike some other podiatric problems, once a bunion develops, the body doesn’t have a way to reverse it.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the bunion, though — and it certainly doesn’t mean you should just deal with it. With strategic treatments, you can at least prevent the bunion from getting worse. And William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS, can help you find the best way to manage your bunion here at Greater Pittsburgh Foot & Ankle Center in Wexford, Pennsylvania.
Beyond that, if you want to explore surgery to remove your bunion, he offers minimally invasive Lapiplasty™ 3D bunion correction.
Why bunions are permanent
You get a bunion when the bones of your toe move out of alignment. That differentiates it from, say, a corn or a callus. When the issue is surface-level, the fact that your skin continually regenerates means the body can often take care of it on its own.
With a bunion, though, the problem is — quite literally — bone deep. Continual pressure moves the toe joint out of alignment. In response, a bony bump (the bunion) forms. Once developed, that new bone becomes a permanent part of your foot’s structure unless you remove it with surgery.
How to prevent it from getting worse
While your bunion won’t resolve on its own, you can take steps to prevent it from growing. To a large extent, that means choosing good footwear. Dr. DeCarbo might recommend wearing:
- Comfortable shoes with plenty of room in the toe box
- Bunion pads
- Orthotics
Ice and anti-inflammatory medication can also help to manage any discomfort your bunion causes.
Massaging and stretching your feet and spacing out your toes can also help to soothe any pain and prevent the bunion from growing.
Getting rid of bunions
All of this said, you may not necessarily want to live your life with a bunion. Good news: You don’t have to. Dr. DeCarbo specializes in an advanced, minimally invasive bunion surgery called Lapiplasty.
This procedure removes the bunion while stabilizing your big toe joint to slash the odds of your bunion recurring. At the same time, because it’s minimally invasive, you shrink your downtime. Most people are able to resume walking in a boot in 3-10 days.
Whether you want help developing strategies to prevent your bunion from growing or you’re ready to explore getting rid of it for good, call our office or book your appointment online.